Salsa Ranchera! A Jalapeños and Cilantro Salsa!

When it comes to salsa some like it hot and some not!  This salsa is a happy medium.  This is a water bath canned salsa from The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving. This is an awesome book to add to your collection if you are looking for fresh innovative ways to add to your pantry.  After sharing the recipe, I will share a fun way to use this salsa.  The Huevos Rancheros meal is also from the book I mentioned.

Be sure to start with fresh homegrown paste tomatoes. You can use different varieties and colors.  Paste tomatoes are less juicy with fewer seeds so they make great sauces.  After roast and when you chop tomatoes place in a colander before adding to the salsa to allow some of the juices to drip off.

Recipe:

Make about 4 pint jars

3 lbs plum tomatoes

3/4 lb jalapeños

4 garlic cloves

1 medium white onion cut into 1/2 thick slices

2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/3 cup bottled lime juice

1.  Preheat oven to 425F Line a baking sheet with foil.  Slice tomatoes in half or quarters depending on the size.  Slice jalapeños in half lengthwise and seed. Add sliced onion to a tray also  Roast veggies at 425F for 20 minutes or until soft and beginning to char.

2.  Allow to cool

Roasting veggies enhances their flavor and brings out their sweetness.

3.  Remove skins from tomatoes, coarsely chop onion. Add to a stainless steel pot.

4.  Add 2 tsp salt

5.  Peel jalapeños and chop. You can dice and roast jalapeños which saves you from peeling them.

6.  Add jalapeños and minced garlic to pot

7.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer 2 minutes

8.  Ladle hot salsa into hot jar leaving 1/2 in headspace.  Remove air bubbles. wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar and add a ring adjusting to fingertip tight.  

9.  Place in boiling water canner.  Process for 20 minutes adjusting for altitude.  In New Harmony that meals adding 10 minutes to the processing time..  Begin timing when water begins to boil

10.  Turn off and remove canner lid.  Allow to rest for 10 minutes before removing the jars.

11.  Store without rings.

Need a new way to use this delicious salsa?  Try Huevo Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros

Corn tortillas

Olive oil

Eggs

Refried Beans

Toppings:  grated cheese, avocado slices, fresh cilantro

Cook tortillas in oil in a non stick pan until crisp

Fry 2 eggs per tortilla  

Spread refried beans on tortillas.  Top with eggs, salsa, and toppings of choice.